8/30/2025 - Charlotte-Genesee Lighthouse

I took my wife to visit another lighthouse.  It was a bit tricky getting here as Maps seemed to struggle figuring out exactly where we were and where the entrance to the parking lot was.  We eventually found it though.  The history of it was quite fascinating and the gentleman that took us to the top of the light was very knowledgeable and friendly.  Not too many pictures as the views were a bit limited.  Much of the land surrounding the lighthouse wasn't actually there when it was constructed.  Rather it was built up from yearly dredging of the river.  Over time, this land became valuable and was built up with businesses.  Still a neat visit though.

Parking Location: https://w3w.co/segment.charities.lifestyle
Site Notes: The grounds are really all that is accessible and there are several nice little flower beds around.

Camera: Nikon Z7 II; Lens: Nikon NIKOR Z 24-70mm f4 S;
Time: 12:59; Focal Length: 70mm; Shutter: 1/1000sec; Aperture: f/4; ISO: 100

Camera: Nikon Z7 II; Lens: Nikon NIKOR Z 24-70mm f4 S;
Time: 12:59; Focal Length: 70mm; Shutter: 1/400sec; Aperture: f/4; ISO: 100

Camera: Nikon Z7 II; Lens: Nikon NIKOR Z 24-70mm f4 S;
Time: 13:00; Focal Length: 46mm; Shutter: 1/6400sec; Aperture: f/4; ISO: 100

Camera: Nikon Z7 II; Lens: Nikon NIKOR Z 24-70mm f4 S;
Time: 13:01; Focal Length: 70mm; Shutter: 1/1250sec; Aperture: f/4; ISO: 100

Camera: Nikon Z7 II; Lens: Nikon NIKOR Z 24-70mm f4 S;
Time: 13:01; Focal Length: 46mm; Shutter: 1/1250sec; Aperture: f/4; ISO: 100

Camera: Nikon Z7 II; Lens: Nikon NIKOR Z 24-70mm f4 S;
Time: 13:02; Focal Length: 70mm; Shutter: 1/200sec; Aperture: f/4; ISO: 100

Camera: Nikon Z7 II; Lens: Nikon NIKOR Z 24-70mm f4 S;
Time: 13:40; Focal Length: 24mm; Shutter: 1/250sec; Aperture: f/4; ISO: 100
Note: That little LED bulb can be seen 15 miles away!

Camera: Nikon Z7 II; Lens: Nikon NIKOR Z 24-70mm f4 S;
Time: 13:44; Focal Length: 70mm; Shutter: 1/1600sec; Aperture: f/4; ISO: 100
Note: The only picture from the top that wasn't full of reflections.  All you see here is what they term "reclaimed land" built from the dredging of the river.

8/24/2025 - Montezuma Audubon Center

Another place that I'd never been but have seen many posts within a Facebook group I'm in.  Wasn't sure exactly what to expect.  As you will see from the number of pictures, it was a very fruitful visit.  I can only imagine that there would be a lot more if I were to visit earlier in the year.

Parking Location: https://w3w.co/insects.tablet.subjecting

Site Notes: The building wasn't open when I visited but it is fully accessible.  The trails are accessible if you have something that can handle some rough trails.

Camera: Nikon Z7 II; Lens: Nikon NIKOR Z 180-600mm f/5.6-6.3 VRS;
Time: 10:31; Focal Length: 360mm; Shutter: 1/2500sec; Aperture: f/6; ISO: 800

Camera: Nikon Z7 II; Lens: Nikon NIKOR Z 180-600mm f/5.6-6.3 VRS;
Time: 10:31; Focal Length: 600mm; Shutter: 1/2500sec; Aperture: f/6.3; ISO: 800
Note: I've seen Ruby Throated Hummingbirds perch at home a few times, but never when I had a camera with me.

Camera: Nikon Z7 II; Lens: Nikon NIKOR Z 180-600mm f/5.6-6.3 VRS;
Time: 10:32; Focal Length: 600mm; Shutter: 1/1000sec; Aperture: f/6.3; ISO: 800
Note: Takeoff eminent!

Camera: Nikon Z7 II; Lens: Nikon NIKOR Z 180-600mm f/5.6-6.3 VRS;
Time: 10:34; Focal Length: 600mm; Shutter: 1/2500sec; Aperture: f/6.3; ISO: 800

Camera: Nikon Z7 II; Lens: Nikon NIKOR Z 180-600mm f/5.6-6.3 VRS;
Time: 10:37; Focal Length: 600mm; Shutter: 1/8000sec; Aperture: f/6.3; ISO: 800
Note: This one caught my attention when I heard a screech as it took off from a tree quite some distance away.  Until I started editing, I thought it was a juvenile Bald Eagle, turned out to be a Red Tailed Hawk.  This is heavily cropped.

Camera: Nikon Z7 II; Lens: Nikon NIKOR Z 180-600mm f/5.6-6.3 VRS;
Time: 10:46; Focal Length: 600mm; Shutter: 1/500sec; Aperture: f/6.3; ISO: 1000

Camera: Nikon Z7 II; Lens: Nikon NIKOR Z 180-600mm f/5.6-6.3 VRS;
Time: 10:50; Focal Length: 600mm; Shutter: 1/5000sec; Aperture: f/6.3; ISO: 1000

Camera: Nikon Z7 II; Lens: Nikon NIKOR Z 180-600mm f/5.6-6.3 VRS;
Time: 10:51; Focal Length: 600mm; Shutter: 1/2500sec; Aperture: f/6.3; ISO: 1000

Camera: Nikon Z7 II; Lens: Nikon NIKOR Z 180-600mm f/5.6-6.3 VRS;
Time: 10:51; Focal Length: 600mm; Shutter: 1/2000sec; Aperture: f/6.3; ISO: 800

Camera: Nikon Z7 II; Lens: Nikon NIKOR Z 180-600mm f/5.6-6.3 VRS;
Time: 10:52; Focal Length: 600mm; Shutter: 1/1600sec; Aperture: f/6.3; ISO: 800

Camera: Nikon Z7 II; Lens: Nikon NIKOR Z 180-600mm f/5.6-6.3 VRS;
Time: 10:52; Focal Length: 600mm; Shutter: 1/1250sec; Aperture: f/6.3; ISO: 800

Camera: Nikon Z7 II; Lens: Nikon NIKOR Z 180-600mm f/5.6-6.3 VRS;
Time: 10:53; Focal Length: 600mm; Shutter: 1/1000sec; Aperture: f/6.3; ISO: 800
Note: The first time I've seen a Belted Kingfisher perched where I had a clear view.  I did some additional cropping on this one.

Camera: Nikon Z7 II; Lens: Nikon NIKOR Z 180-600mm f/5.6-6.3 VRS;
Time: 10:53; Focal Length: 600mm; Shutter: 1/1000sec; Aperture: f/6.3; ISO: 800

Camera: Nikon Z7 II; Lens: Nikon NIKOR Z 180-600mm f/5.6-6.3 VRS;
Time: 10:53; Focal Length: 600mm; Shutter: 1/2000sec; Aperture: f/6.3; ISO: 800

Camera: Nikon Z7 II; Lens: Nikon NIKOR Z 180-600mm f/5.6-6.3 VRS;
Time: 10:54; Focal Length: 600mm; Shutter: 1/1600sec; Aperture: f/6.3; ISO: 800

Camera: Nikon Z7 II; Lens: Nikon NIKOR Z 180-600mm f/5.6-6.3 VRS;
Time: 10:56; Focal Length: 600mm; Shutter: 1/640sec; Aperture: f/6.3; ISO: 800
Note: Last turtle picture.  This one was in the middle of the trail.

Camera: Nikon Z7 II; Lens: Nikon NIKOR Z 180-600mm f/5.6-6.3 VRS;
Time: 11:03; Focal Length: 600mm; Shutter: 1/4000sec; Aperture: f/6.3; ISO: 800

Camera: Nikon Z7 II; Lens: Nikon NIKOR Z 180-600mm f/5.6-6.3 VRS;
Time: 11:05; Focal Length: 600mm; Shutter: 1/8000sec; Aperture: f/6.3; ISO: 800
Note: A Pied-billed Grebe.  A bit of cropping mostly to center it in the frame.

Camera: Nikon Z7 II; Lens: Nikon NIKOR Z 180-600mm f/5.6-6.3 VRS;
Time: 11:08; Focal Length: 600mm; Shutter: 1/8000sec; Aperture: f/6.3; ISO: 800
Note: I wasn't sure how I spooked a flock of geese that were on an island in the middle of a decent sized pond but I soon figured out it wasn't me that spooked them...

Camera: Nikon Z7 II; Lens: Nikon NIKOR Z 180-600mm f/5.6-6.3 VRS;
Time: 11:08; Focal Length: 600mm; Shutter: 1/8000sec; Aperture: f/6.3; ISO: 800
Note: The shadow from this Osprey is what spooked the geese.  I was completely amazed to capture the preparation for a dive!  It dove 3 times in total but missed getting it's lunch.  The dive was so fast that I couldn't move the camera fast enough to keep up with it.  There is a slight crop on this.

Camera: Nikon Z7 II; Lens: Nikon NIKOR Z 180-600mm f/5.6-6.3 VRS;
Time: 11:10; Focal Length: 600mm; Shutter: 1/800sec; Aperture: f/6.3; ISO: 400

Camera: Nikon Z7 II; Lens: Nikon NIKOR Z 180-600mm f/5.6-6.3 VRS;
Time: 11:10; Focal Length: 600mm; Shutter: 1/8000sec; Aperture: f/6.3; ISO: 400

Camera: Nikon Z7 II; Lens: Nikon NIKOR Z 180-600mm f/5.6-6.3 VRS;
Time: 11:14; Focal Length: 600mm; Shutter: 1/8000sec; Aperture: f/6.3; ISO: 400
Note: Soaring for the third attempt...

Camera: Nikon Z7 II; Lens: Nikon NIKOR Z 180-600mm f/5.6-6.3 VRS;
Time: 11:19; Focal Length: 600mm; Shutter: 1/320sec; Aperture: f/1/320; ISO: 400
Note: There were several of these House Finches singing away in the trees, but she was the only one that perched long enough for me to get a picture.

Camera: Nikon Z7 II; Lens: Nikon NIKOR Z 180-600mm f/5.6-6.3 VRS;
Time: 11:24; Focal Length: 600mm; Shutter: 1/4000sec; Aperture: f/6.3; ISO: 400
Note: Drying the wings after the third failed attempt at getting lunch.

Camera: Nikon Z7 II; Lens: Nikon NIKOR Z 180-600mm f/5.6-6.3 VRS;
Time: 11:29; Focal Length: 560mm; Shutter: 1/8000sec; Aperture: f/6.3; ISO: 400
Note: Flew right over me on the way to a different fishing location.

Camera: Nikon Z7 II; Lens: Nikon NIKOR Z 180-600mm f/5.6-6.3 VRS;
Time: 11:33; Focal Length: 600mm; Shutter: 1/4000sec; Aperture: f/6.3; ISO: 400
Note: Growing up on the river, I've seen many Great Blue Herons but this is the first time I've ever seen one perched in a tree in person...

Camera: Nikon Z7 II; Lens: Nikon NIKOR Z 180-600mm f/5.6-6.3 VRS;
Time: 11:38; Focal Length: 600mm; Shutter: 1/1000sec; Aperture: f/6.3; ISO: 400
Note: A pair of young Common Gallinules.  I didn't see the adult in the background until I was editing.  truthfully, not the great for zooming in for a closer view.

Camera: Nikon Z7 II; Lens: Nikon NIKOR Z 180-600mm f/5.6-6.3 VRS;
Time: 11:45; Focal Length: 600mm; Shutter: 1/800sec; Aperture: f/6.3; ISO: 400

Camera: Nikon Z7 II; Lens: Nikon NIKOR Z 180-600mm f/5.6-6.3 VRS;
Time: 11:47; Focal Length: 600mm; Shutter: 1/1250sec; Aperture: f/6.3; ISO: 400

Camera: Nikon Z7 II; Lens: Nikon NIKOR Z 180-600mm f/5.6-6.3 VRS;
Time: 11:48; Focal Length: 600mm; Shutter: 1/1000sec; Aperture: f/6.3; ISO: 400

Camera: Nikon Z7 II; Lens: Nikon NIKOR Z 180-600mm f/5.6-6.3 VRS;
Time: 11:48; Focal Length: 600mm; Shutter: 1/1000sec; Aperture: f/6.3; ISO: 400

Camera: Nikon Z7 II; Lens: Nikon NIKOR Z 180-600mm f/5.6-6.3 VRS;
Time: 11:49; Focal Length: 180mm; Shutter: 1/1250sec; Aperture: f/5.6; ISO: 400

Camera: Nikon Z7 II; Lens: Nikon NIKOR Z 180-600mm f/5.6-6.3 VRS;
Time: 11:53; Focal Length: 600mm; Shutter: 1/1250sec; Aperture: f/6.3; ISO: 400
Note: I thought the little photobomber really made the picture better...

8/2/2025 - Montezuma National Wildlife Refuge

I believe I said it in a previous post, but it is worth repeating.  It appears I'm getting more into wildlife photography, particularly birds.  Perhaps it is because I've photographed a large number of the waterfalls that are within a couple of hours of the house or that we've had so little rain that the flow is very low or non-existent, or maybe I'm just opening my eyes to the rest of the beauty in nature.  I don't know, but I'm getting more impressed with the camera and lens combinations that I have each time I go out.  Taking the time to learn how to set the focus the way I want is really paying off as you'll see in the pictures below.  I hope you enjoy them!

Entrance: https://w3w.co/prelude.beans.counterpart
Site Notes: The visitor center is accessible with knowledgeable volunteers.  This area of the refuge is driving only.  No foot traffic allowed and you must stay in your car except at designated spots.  Don't worry though, there is plenty to see!

Camera: Nikon Z7 II; Lens: Nikon NIKOR Z 180-600mm f/5.6-6.3 VRS;
Time: 11:20; Focal Length: 520 mm; Shutter: 1/400 sec; Aperture: f/6.3; ISO: 100

Same picture as above, I just thought it came out amazing enough to crop it a bit.  It goes back to my statement of how impressed I am with this camera!

Camera: Nikon Z7 II; Lens: Nikon NIKOR Z 180-600mm f/5.6-6.3 VRS;
Time: 11:22; Focal Length: 570 mm; Shutter: 1/320 sec; Aperture: f/6.3; ISO: 100

Camera: Nikon Z7 II; Lens: Nikon NIKOR Z 180-600mm f/5.6-6.3 VRS;
Time: 11:22; Focal Length: 600 mm; Shutter: 1/320 sec; Aperture: f/6.3; ISO: 100

Camera: Nikon Z7 II; Lens: Nikon NIKOR Z 180-600mm f/5.6-6.3 VRS;
Time: 11:23; Focal Length: 600 mm; Shutter: 1/320 sec; Aperture: f/6.3; ISO: 100

Camera: Nikon Z7 II; Lens: Nikon NIKOR Z 180-600mm f/5.6-6.3 VRS;
Time: 11:30; Focal Length: 600 mm; Shutter: 1/500 sec; Aperture: f/6.3; ISO: 100

Camera: Nikon Z7 II; Lens: Nikon NIKOR Z 180-600mm f/5.6-6.3 VRS;
Time: 11:48; Focal Length: 600 mm; Shutter: 1/200 sec; Aperture: f/6.3; ISO: 100

Camera: Nikon Z7 II; Lens: Nikon NIKOR Z 180-600mm f/5.6-6.3 VRS;
Time: 11:51; Focal Length: 600 mm; Shutter: 1/160 sec; Aperture: f/6.3; ISO: 100

Camera: Nikon Z7 II; Lens: Nikon NIKOR Z 180-600mm f/5.6-6.3 VRS;
Time: 11:52; Focal Length: 320 mm; Shutter: 1/250 sec; Aperture: f/6; ISO: 100

Camera: Nikon Z7 II; Lens: Nikon NIKOR Z 180-600mm f/5.6-6.3 VRS;
Time: 11:56; Focal Length: 600 mm; Shutter: 1/250 sec; Aperture: f/6.3; ISO: 100

Camera: Nikon Z7 II; Lens: Nikon NIKOR Z 180-600mm f/5.6-6.3 VRS;
Time: 11:56; Focal Length: 600 mm; Shutter: 1/320 sec; Aperture: f/6.3; ISO: 100

Camera: Nikon Z7 II; Lens: Nikon NIKOR Z 180-600mm f/5.6-6.3 VRS;
Time: 11:58; Focal Length: 600 mm; Shutter: 1/400 sec; Aperture: f/6.3; ISO: 100

Camera: Nikon Z7 II; Lens: Nikon NIKOR Z 180-600mm f/5.6-6.3 VRS;
Time: 12:01; Focal Length: 490 mm; Shutter: 1/400 sec; Aperture: f/6.3; ISO: 100
Note: No cropping here, the water was right outside the window!

Camera: Nikon Z7 II; Lens: Nikon NIKOR Z 180-600mm f/5.6-6.3 VRS;
Time: 12:01; Focal Length: 440 mm; Shutter: 1/400 sec; Aperture: f/6; ISO: 100

Camera: Nikon Z7 II; Lens: Nikon NIKOR Z 180-600mm f/5.6-6.3 VRS;
Time: 12:08; Focal Length: 600 mm; Shutter: 1/320 sec; Aperture: f/6.3; ISO: 100

Camera: Nikon Z7 II; Lens: Nikon NIKOR Z 180-600mm f/5.6-6.3 VRS;
Time: 12:19; Focal Length: 300 mm; Shutter: 1/500 sec; Aperture: f/6; ISO: 100

Camera: Nikon Z7 II; Lens: Nikon NIKOR Z 180-600mm f/5.6-6.3 VRS;
Time: 12:20; Focal Length: 600 mm; Shutter: 1/1000 sec; Aperture: f/6.3; ISO: 100
Note: My first time capturing a Northern Harrier!

Camera: Nikon Z7 II; Lens: Nikon NIKOR Z 180-600mm f/5.6-6.3 VRS;
Time: 12:23; Focal Length: 540 mm; Shutter: 1/1000 sec; Aperture: f/6.3; ISO: 100